Ministry of Hip

Outside looking in...

2008-05-20T14:55:00.000-07:00

My mom and I play this game called "What does this say about me" wherein we examine what we're wearing or the various shopping bags we're carrying and try to figure out exactly what about us the strangers are judging. Because, y'know, we would never judge strangers based on clothing or anything.

Anyway, this afternoon, I had a rather eclectic trip to the grocery store and library. What do my choices say about me? I'll determine them below.

LIBRARY
"Queen of Babble in the Big City," Meg Cabot
"Beyond (Straight and Gay) Marriage: Valuing All Families under the Law," Nancy D. Polikoff
"Set This House in Order: A Romance of Souls," Matt Ruff
"Only Love Can Break Your Heart," David Samuels"
"The Undomestic Goddess," Sophie Kinsella
"Seneca Falls and the Origins of the Women's Rights Movement," Sally G. McMillen

What it says about me: Confused bisexual looking for a ring from anyone who'll give her one.
What it really means: Someone who went in looking for some light reading (Cabot, Kinsella) and her book club book (Ruff) who got distracted by the New Releases display (everything else) and went a little crazy.

GROCERY STORE
Pita chips
3 tangerines
Minute Maid limeade concentrate
Snapple nectarine white tea
Shampoo and conditioner (Herbal Essences Hello Hydration)
Mousse (Sunsilk Waves of Envy)
6-pack of Sierra Nevada

What it says about me: Thirsty single girl with dirty hair and a fear of scurvy.
What really means: Thirsty single girl with dirty hair and a fear of scurvy.

Now, tell me what you think my reading and grocery habits say about me.

Or tell me what your grocery and reading habits say about you.

The Nine

2008-05-18T11:57:00.000-07:00

I switched bags last week and, after doing so, thought it was feeling a hell of a lot heavier than my old one. And when I looked inside, I realized: I had two bags' (plus some) worth of lip care products rattling around in there. And here's the roundup of what I dug out. A star means it means it got put back into the bag.

They are, in no particular order...

*Estee Lauder High Gloss in blush: This gloss has been a staple of mine since I rushed out and bought it after reading Kristen's glowing review over at Beauty Addict. It is glossy without looking wet, lasting without stickiness and it's the perfect shade of pink to bump up my natural lipcolor. My only quibble is that Blush is the only color that really looks good on me!

Kiehl's Lip Balm, SPF 15 in 58B: I got this last winter when I was on vacation for two weeks and forgot anything gloopy to smear over my lips. My other lip balm (coming up!) wasn't sliding around quite right when it got supercold (shout out to my Missouri peeps!). And now I'm working on my second tube. Not because I love it so much, but because the first one went rancid after about 6 weeks and I think this one is there, too. Lip balm shouldn't smell like puppy paws, right? Shame, because otherwise, I really loved this product! (Although I don't love that it's petroleum-based).

Gap favorite lip balm, spf 18, in cranberry: This is the aforementioned lip balm that didn't slip and slide as well as I would have liked. But it's not altogether a bad product, especially for a $1.50 impulse buy at the register. I can't resist anything that smells like cranberry! Plus, it's petroleum-free! It's moisturizing powers come from coconut oil and beeswax--hence the loss of sliding power in frigid Kansas City winters.

*Revlon Shiny Sheers in honey drizzle: This is one of my favorite lip care products. I went through an entire tube of the stuff last summer and expect to do so again this year. It's just shiny enough, without being too glossy. Honey Drizzle is a lovely rosey nude shade (much browner than it appears online) that's perfect for summer. Oh, and did I mention: It's got SPF 15! I do, however, hate the packaging. The cap doesn't snap on tightly enough.

C.O. Bigelow grapefruit mentha lip shine: I got this as part of a three-pack with grapefruit, lime and orange flavored peppermint-infused moisturizing lip shines. They taste AMAZING. They're really moisturizing, too, although the formula is kind of thin and not very long-lasting.

*Neutrogena MoistureShine tinted lip balm in Clean: This is a great go-to product. It's got a little tint and SPF 20 (!!!), which makes it great for grabbing and gliding on during the summer, especially at the beach. I have two tubes of Clean, a rosy neutral shade, and one tube of Sunny, a warmer brown shade that looks fabulous with a sunburn.

*The Body Shop sheer lip shine in guava: You know how sometimes you're out shopping, you grab something and then realize you already own a handful of products just like it? And while you have several similar products, this one is just barely unique enough to keep? Yeah, that's this one. It's very similar to the Revlon shiny sheers, and while the packaging is far superior (why hello there, cap that snaps shut securely!) the product inside isn't quite as nice. It lacks the SPF and I'm not crazy about the tropical fruit scent. But the color is gorgeous. Sheer reddish pink, with just the tiniest bit of shimmer.

*Fresh Sugar lip gloss in sugar baby: This is a new addition to my lip gloss rotation but I am deeply, madly in love with it. In the tube, it's a peachy nude shade, but it's really sheer on my lips; just a little milkiness and lots of shine. Plus, it smells divine. Like Nonna's lemon cookies from Maggiano's which, by the way, are the best things on the menu there.

And, last but not least... * Fresh Sugar lip treatment in SPF 15: After falling in love with the lip gloss, I went for the lip treatment, with the same great flavor, plus, SPF 15! (Are you sensing a pattern?). It's got great shine on its own and it seems to be pretty moisturizing so far, although we've only been together since Tuesday. Plus, the packaging is METAL and the cap SCREWS ON! Which always wins points in my book.

So what about you? What hidden treasures--or forgotten duds--are rolling around in the bottom of your bags?

No cigarette required

2008-05-17T12:04:00.000-07:00

FRIEND: Your skin looks amazing.
ME: Thank you!
FRIEND: Seriously, you're glowing... Did you get laid?
ME: No, I got new bronzer.

Guess who's back

2008-05-17T11:58:00.000-07:00

Long time no blog...

To make a long story short, I got distracted by this little Web site called "Jezebel." Then I started hating my job. And while the Jezebel addiction has waned slightly, I still hate my job. But, in the meantime, I'm going to try to keep this more updated, at least until something more distracting comes along.

parapluie

2007-08-19T15:22:00.000-07:00

combining my love of all things rain, singer-songwriter, mandy moore and caribbean. also...love the eyeliner

Whoops

2007-06-03T08:45:00.000-07:00

Want strapless? Check it out.

Shirtdress style? You've got that, too.

Scoop neck? No problem.

I don't think it's a knock-off situation, but I do think someone sold a very distinctive fabric to more than one company...

stockwatch

2007-05-10T19:27:00.000-07:00

GPS: down .15 to 18.28.

stockwatch

2007-05-08T18:16:00.000-07:00

GPS: down .24, to 18.13.

Blogging the Gap: Everybody in khaki

2007-05-07T19:35:00.000-07:00

Think about the Gap. What do you buy there? Who shops there?

For me, Gap has always been about the basics, a reputation solidified by their advertising campaigns. Everybody in vests ...dress you up in my love... everybody in khakis ...they call me mellow yellow...

Part of its current identity crisis is that people have gone elsewhere for their basics. Why buy a white t-shirt at Gap for $15 when it's 2-for-$12 at Old Navy? Why buy a black t-shirt at Gap when the J. Crew version is $5 more, but won't fade as fast?

More than anything, Old Navy has cannibalized Gap, because when it comes to basics, why spend $50 when the $30 will work just as well?

It's always surprised me to meet people who didn't shop at Gap. Where do you buy your white t-shirts, I always wondered, but the thing is, since Gap opened in 1969, there have been plenty of stores to open and do a version of what Gap does, but a little better, a little quirkier, a little cheaper. Each one of those stores at a bit of Gap's customer base and grew its own. Express, Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle, Aeropostale, J.Crew.

The question now, is how to find its own unique niche within a crowded retail market. Old Navy also needs to do this, but Old Navy's destiny is inextricably linked with Gaps. Interestingly, Banana Republic has become the tentpole for Gap Inc. Its profits and earnings have kept the company afloat and, in discussions of taking the company private or selling to an investor, its always mentioned as a spin-off to keep public...and profitable.

It seems that Gap -- and Old Navy -- have seen their future in appealing to the crowd that loves the designer knock-offs at H&M and Forever 21 and celebrity/designer diffusion lines at Top Shop and Target. The young, broke fashionista. But is that market already too crowded? And do those fashionistas even remember the Gap as anything other than a place they bought boy cut jeans in 8th grade?

Another topic for another post.

Stockwatch: GPS down .13, to 18.37.

Blogging the Gap: Fall into the Gap

2007-05-02T17:07:00.000-07:00

I stopped in at the Gap the other day. This wasn't as easy as it sounds. In the county where I live, with three major malls, there is only one Gap.

This isn't a small, backwoods town. There's a brand new mall with plenty of other stores, like J. Crew, Guess and Banana Republic.

So I made a stop at the mall with the Gap, mainly to try on a certain dress that's gotten quite a lot of talk over at Fashionista.

But the dress (which is cute, and would work for someone else) did afford me the opportunity to spend some time in the Gap, which I rarely do and I got to see exactly why the store is having such an identity crisis.

In a good store, there will be different "stories" to tell in different parts of the store. Sometimes this is based on color -- we'll tell the orange story here, and the blue one there -- and sometimes it's based on style -- put the work story in one corner and the weekend story toward the front. Gap's stories seemed to be based on...um...yeah...

In the front of the store, there were a lot of basics. T-shirt kinds of things, drawstring-bottom pants, I think. Most of the stuff was on sale (the pants were $59.50, down to $8.97). Then there were some accessories, a table of work pants, a few racks of dresses. Next came clearance, and then in the back corner, there was denim. It wasn't fun or easy to shop and it was difficult to figure out exactly what was on sale. I wanted to pick up some camisoles, because you can never have too many, and I couldn't find them and didn't know where to look.

Part of the problem was that the store was a mess. That's not entirely the Gap's fault, just the management's fault. But it was particularly glaring, considering I was the only customer in the store, for most of my visit. It was after work and there were plenty of people in other stores I visited, so it wasn't a timing issue, it was a Gap issue.

After perusing the store, I did grab the aforementioned dress and a pair of drawstring-bottom pants. I thought about another pair of work pants, but didn't feel like searching for my size, since the pile was out of order. I ended up buying the pants. And that's it.

Stockwatch: GPS up 0.63 points to 18.35.

Blogging the Gap: Prologue

2007-05-01T16:56:00.000-07:00

The Gap is in the middle of an identity crisis. Is it a place for basics? Is it a place for affordable, fashiony clothes? Is it a place for jeans? Even the company doesn't seem to have any answers, based on a recent survey I took.

In the next several posts -- which I hope will be daily -- I'll discuss what I see, as a consumer, and how I think they should fix it. I'll also start a nightly stockwatch, where I post how the stock is doing. Why? Because it's fun.

Will it make any difference? Probably not.

Do I care? Not really.

Will anyone read? I hope so...

Stockwatch: GPS down 0.23 points, 1.28 percent, to $17.72.

Were you aware?

2007-03-11T19:31:00.000-07:00

Project Red, the AIDS fundraising effort that joined forces with Apple, Sprint and Gap, among other companies, sells red products and donates a portion of proceeds to some Bono-related AIDS foundation. Sounds great, right?

Well, so far, they've only raised $18 million.

Only $18 million? But, isn't $18 million a lot of money?

Well, yes. Except when you compare it to the $100 million they spent on marketing the project.

My suggestion: buy a regular iPod and give your $5 to the AIDS charity of your choice instead of buying the red iPod (which only donates $5 to Project Red). And instead of buying the Inspi(red) t-shirt, add that money to the $5 you're already donating.

If you're looking for something worthwhile, try AIDS Life Cycle.

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!

2007-03-02T13:20:00.000-08:00

Libertine is designing the Go! International Collection for Target!

I haven't been this excited in a long time. Finally, a designer I LOVE! designing for them. Because as much as I liked Luella's stuff and was pleasantly surprised by Proenza Schouler, I was very underwhelmed by Paul & Joe and Behnaz.

I'm going to start saving my pennies, now, so I can buy up everything in the fall.

In the meantime, head to Target now for some cute Proenza stuff and stay tuned for Patrick Robinson.

Source: fashionista

For what it's worth, I totally have a girlcrush on Faran. I don't think I've been this excited since I got an e-mail from Faran.

And if you really read the archives, I did the Tim Gunn M&M.

Howdy, Lem

2007-01-31T13:34:00.000-08:00

I'm not the only one who bought the album! They sold 118,000 copies...IN ONE WEEK!

Interestingly, 30 percent of their sales were digital. I actually went into a store and bought my copy, along with Jane mag and some chips.

Funny coincidence? Jane's cover girl is Mandy Moore*, who dated Zach Braff, who featured The Shins* prominently in Garden State, which I think had a lot to do with Wincing The Night Away success.

For the record, I was one of the 15,600 who picked up Chutes Too Narrow in its first week (first day, actually).

*Things I like in spite of their association with the Braff. See also: Natalie Portman, Rachel Bilson and Scrubs.

Lady of the evening

2007-01-16T18:22:00.000-08:00

So for the last two days I've been sporting black nail polish. Sally Hansen was buy one, get one free at Ulta and I got Black Orchid when my mom got a red color. The black has great shimmer and depth too it -- it's dynamic, not just plain, flat black. It looks fabulous, I think.

Except no one's noticed. It makes me sad. But I'll see my dad, brother and boyfriend this weekend, so we'll see. Chances are, my dad will say it's "funky" in that way that says "I don't know what to think about it," my brother will think it's cool and my boyfriend will just like it because it's on my fingers. Update to follow soon.

Welcome to the 07, bitch

2007-01-02T14:46:00.000-08:00

Good evening, 2007. Lovely to see you. Hopefully you'll be as good to me as your friend 2006 was.

So, going forward, here's a look at the best and worst of 2006, at least as far as I can think right now.

WOOT!
Things that made me happy

Estee Lauder High Gloss lip gloss and Prescriptives custom color lip glosses.
Two seasons of Project Runway
PODCASTS!
The Chia Pet on the dashboard of my Mac
Finally buying, returning, buying a different pair, wearing and loving skinny jeans
The Office
Finally seeing Ted Leo live.

BooHiss
Things that disappointed or underwhelmed

Stila illuminating foundation -- too sparkly!
Two seasons of Project Runway and two annoying winners
Gilmore Girls and Grey's Anatomy
That mojitos got trendyish (maybe I just think that because I live in south Florida now).

WTF?
Things that surprised me

I only bought two pairs of shoes (and sundry flip-flops, but those don't count) all year.
I can actually live without cable, as long as I get E!, VH1, Comedy Central and the Food Network. And I have someone TiVo Project Runway for me.
Skinny jeans!
Meredith Viera on the Today Show? Not a bad way to ease into the morning.

My next iTunes purchase?

2006-12-19T20:33:00.000-08:00

Is that James Blunt? If so, he just scored 50,783 cool points with me. Which means he's got a net cool value of about -98,390.

Holiday cheer

2006-12-07T16:25:00.000-08:00

Parts two and three.

Note: To watch the third part, you have to register since it's 18 and over for offensive content. Don't watch if you're overly sensitive or lacking in a sense of humor.

It's only rock 'n' roll but I like it

2006-12-07T16:12:00.000-08:00

What a generation gap.

Having been raised by late boomer parents or faux boomer parents or whatever, I'm in the weird position of being raised by the same generation as Gen X-ers, but actually in Gen-Y or the millenials or whatever.

So when I read this article, I thought, "Hey! I never went through that phase." Maybe it's because my parents are cool or maybe it's they listened to good music and still do, but there was very little disconnect between what I listened to and what they liked. I enjoyed The Beatles and the Rolling Stones with them and likewise, they appreciate Coldplay and OutKast. And together, we can discover artists fell between our generations, like Elvis Costello. Maybe I'm an anomoly. Only time will tell.

Both vices in one article

2006-11-15T15:14:00.000-08:00

As a fashion addict and political junkie, this article on one of my favorite blogs combines both my vices in one. Enjoy!

More YouTube fun

2006-11-13T20:26:00.000-08:00

Just saying hi this winter.

2006-11-13T16:19:00.000-08:00

There are certain things that adults must do. More than just paying the bills or going to work. Writing a sympathy note when your friend's aunt dies. Sending flowers when a friend's grandmother dies. Sending Christmas cards.

But Christmas cards that actually say "Christmas" are hard to come by.

I'm not one of those crazy Fox News people who gets angry at stores that say "Happy Holidays." I actually thing Happy Holidays is a nice thing to say to people. It acknowledges all holidays -- Hannukah, Christmas, Kwanza, New Year's, the winter solstice, Boxing Day, whatever people might celebrate.

But cards are more intimate, more personal. When you're working in a store, you don't know if the person is shopping for themselves or for a gift or what holiday that person celebrates. But most of the time, you know what your friends celebrate. Meanwhile, they probably know what you celebrate. I don't know about others, but I am not personally offended by Hannukah cards. It's just my Jewish friends' way of sharing good wishes from their holiday to me during this holiday time. But Seasons Greetings irks me. And they always go on good cards, too.

That said, cards with vague messages like, "Wishing you peace and joy during the holiday season" don't bother me because they echo sentiments of all the seasons and allow me to write "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Hannukah" or "Happy Holidays" as appropriate.

Which is what you got from me last year and might get from me this year...if you're lucky!

Atlanta institution

2006-11-12T10:29:00.000-08:00

Serious ugly

2006-10-19T06:41:00.000-07:00

Jeffrey won. Undeservedly, I think. But I guess they couldn't have two winners in a row who came to America from Communism with nothing but a dream and a sewing kit. I'll get over it. It's not like it actually affects my life, unless this means Jeffrey's on my TV more often, which means I might have to throw my TV out a window.

The sexy is back!

2006-10-18T17:09:00.000-07:00

So.....question.

Does that outfit look like the episode Keith Michael, Jeffrey and Alison designed for the Macy's challenge on Project Runway?

When I waste my money, I want it hanging in my closet where I can look at it

2006-10-18T14:36:00.000-07:00

I'm not a betting woman, but if I were, I'd put my money on Uli to win it all tonight.

A week ago, I would have said it was a two-man battle between Jeffrey and Michael. Jeffrey offers an aesthetic we don't see too often but sometimes the taste level isn't there. Same thing with Michael. It's interesting that both are straight men and I think they see women differently than gay men (who may see women only as coathangers for their creations) and women (who just dress themselves). They want to see women be beautiful, sexy, romantic, and I think it's an exciting perspective.

But after last week's episode, it looks like Uli might be in the running.

Michael brought some serious ugly with his odd safari theme. Safari could be good for Michael, who excels at sportswear, but it seemed misguided. Is he good only with feedback from Tim Gunn?

As for Jeffrey, I was on his side with the cheating allegations...until I watched the episode again. He has a company, so he has workers at his disposal. His receipts were all mixed up when Tim asked for them. And the plastic bags? On one hand, protection for one-of-a-kind designs that had to be Bryant Park perfect. On the other hand, what they came in after being sent out for sewing. We'll see what happens tonight, but I don't think it looks so good for him.

Which leaves Uli and Laura. As much as I like Laura and her designs, I don't think they're unique and exciting enough to win Project Runway. Which leaves Uli.

Who knows how things will turn out. Michael could style his way to a win or the judges may be on Jeffrey's side. The judges could be wowed by Laura's sophistication, or Uli could be the woman left standing next to the Saturn Sky. Maybe I'll be glad I'm not a betting woman. Or maybe I'll be regretting I didn't turn good odds into money to buy one of her creations.

So tight you can see my metaphorical balls

2006-10-11T18:10:00.000-07:00

So...

...I finally bought a pair of skinny jeans. I've been trying to find the perfect pair and actually have the balls (and cash!) to buy them. The $150 AGs? Looked great, but I couldn't justify that kind of money on a trend I was still unsure about. So yesterday, I hit Old Navy with a buddy whose opinion is unfailingly honest ("That's kind of a random outfit...") and approved them.

As for the flattery issue, they aren't all that different from a regular pair of tight bootcut jeans, but it'll take some getting used to showing off my calves to the world. They looked pretty rockin' tucked into my favorite riding boots, which also adds some volume and weight to the bottom of the leg, balancing the way the jeans can accentuate the booty.

I don't know when I'm going to be able to wear them, since boots under jeans could get a wee bit warm in south Florida's 88-degree heat. I do think they'll work really well with my rubber rain boots if we get another hurricane down here, although I hope that doesn't happen.

I'll post an update when I get the balls to actually wear them.

Beauty wishlist

2006-10-11T16:37:00.000-07:00

Dear Neutrogena:

I love, love, LOVE your new citrus exfoliating body wash and sugar scrub. The frozen lemonade-y goodness is usually the best part of my morning and helped me kick the coffee addiction. Thank you, I owe you one.

But, could you please, pretty please, with cherries, sugar and whipped cream on top, make a corresponding lotion? With sunscreen?

Love,
The Minister

La vie en rose

2006-10-05T17:51:00.000-07:00

Two years ago, I spent two weeks studying art history in Paris. We spent mornings in museums like the Centre Pompidou, Musee d'Orsay and Picasso Museum. We spent afternoons exploring the Louvre or the rest of the city, it's parks, shops and alleys. Every once in a while, I get a bit "homesick" for my adopted hometown and can get a little Parisian fix by surfing www.paristay.com.

After spending a little time on the site tonight, I have come to one conclusion: Les francais, ils n'ont pas peur de decorer avec rose. Translation? The French aren't afraid to decorate with pink. Hot pink. Vibrant shades of fuschia and watermelon. Ils habiton dans le monde en rose.

The final four

2006-09-27T20:07:00.000-07:00

Uli, Michael, Laura and Jeffrey are ALL going to Bryant Park's Olympus Fashion Week. Which already occurred.

Hurrah!

Also...

I want to go to Miami and hang out with Uli. She looks fun.

FW 06

2006-09-27T07:16:00.000-07:00

One of the lip glosses I smuggled through security? A recently blended custom color lip gloss from the Atlanta Prescritives counter in Atlanta.

After a fruitless quest to find the perfect berry lip color -- have you heard? it's big for fall -- I decided to make my own.

There are several base colors to choose from -- berry, red, pink, brown -- with extenders and finishes to change the color around. Add shimmer, glitter, metallic or pearl finishes, make colors darker or lighter or sheer.

My shade is a perfectly sheer berry with a red tinge and just the teeniest bit of gold shimmer. And the best part? There are tons of flavors, so you're not stuck with a great color and nasty flavor or a flavor that doesn't match the color. Mine tastes like coffee, which makes me very happy.

(Oh, and in case you're wondering, I'm not sharing the formula. Go make your own!)

Mini-breaks just got easier

2006-09-27T07:05:00.000-07:00

The TSA is allowing liquids and gels in carry-on bags again!

You can bring whatever you want -- as long as it's in a 3-ounce container or smaller. All of you liquids and gels, lip glosses, mascaras and lotions, must fit in a quart-size ziplock. If you buy something after you go through security, like coffee, water, lotion, etc., you can bring it on the plane. Saline solution, eye drops, medication and personal lubricant (e.g. KY Jelly) can be carried on in 4-ounce containers, but still in your quart-sized bag.

I was the first person to say the old restrictions were ridiculous. I understand that liquids can be used to make explosives and I agree that we need more security to prevent terrorist attacks. However, a universal ban on all liquids and gels seemed illogical, and, as I discovered over the last two weekends and seven trips through security lines, the liquid ban was on the honor system. I made it through every time with at least three tubes of lip gloss, a travel-size bottle of contact solution and a full-size bottle of hair gel. These new restrictions seem to be something I can live with and might actually abide by...as long as I can fit all my lip gloss in a ziplock.

Is a female maneater a cannibal?

2006-09-20T05:40:00.000-07:00

I'm watching the new Nelly Furtado video for "Maneater" and totally digging the clothes she's rocking. A graphic T-shirt with a menswear vest over it is pretty cool, but the T-shirt has fluttery sleeves on it, which gives it a garcon-gamine feeling. She eventually strips down to just a plain little boys ribbed white tank top. Something every girl has -- or should have -- in her wardrobe. But this one gets a super-sparkly belt, chandelier earrings, red lips and beautiful wavy hair. Somehow, after a few seasons of The Necklace, a simple piece with fabulous earrings somehow feels fresh again, which is great, because superfab earrings are easier to come by and easier to wear than superfab necklaces.

almost perfect

2006-09-19T21:18:00.001-07:00

I got a new lip gloss tonight. L'Oreal Colour Juice in Cherries on Top. It's a color I've been searching for for a while. The perfect sheer cherry red color. Perfect for day, but good enough for evening. Wonderful. Great. My search is over.

Except my bangs keep getting stuck in it.

I turn my head -- BAM! Bangs stuck in the lipgloss.

The air conditioner goes on -- BAM! Bangs stuck in the lipgloss.

I'm sitting perfectly stull and the rotation of the earth happens as it has for millenia -- BAM! Bangs stuck in the lipgloss.

Yes, this shit is sticky.

I should send this to Estee Lauder, maker of the most wonderful lipgloss on the planet, High Gloss, and request this color. Berries are big for fall and their colors are so summery, anyway.

A girl can dream. And until then, save this gloss for days when the hair goes up.

Refrigerator of a jet-setter

2006-09-18T17:10:00.000-07:00

Edible items:
Beer
Salsa
Bean dip
Taco sauce
Hot sauce
Salad dressing
Ketchup
Rasperry jam
Tonic
American, Mexican mix, Monterey Jack and string cheese

Questionable items:
Unopened organic yogurt.
Fat free sour cream-like substance

Items in need of a trip to the dumpster:
Skim milk
Eight eggs
Red bell pepper
Salad mix involving spinach

The Diane von Furstenberg of Project Runway

2006-09-15T13:46:00.000-07:00

I love Diane von Furstenberg. I think she's beautiful. I think she's cool. I think she's real. I think she's a genius with prints. I think she's a shrewd businesswoman.

And she built her empire on one dress.

Tim Gunn (or Michael Kors?) compared Uli's talent with prints to DvF's, but I think the comparison could go further. Uli, like DvF, can build her own empire on a single dress. But I don't think she can win Project Runway by doing that.

One of the flaws on Project Runway is that the judges require designers to show a range. They want something as cool and practical as Michael Kors' sportswear and sometihng edgy and unique enough for Nina Garcia to put on the pages of Elle. They want something chic and wearable enough for Heidi Klum to parade down the red carpet in and they want something exciting and new enough to wow the guest judges.

Which means that designers like Austin Scarlett, who designs beautiful evening gowns and party dresses, can't win. And I think it might also mean that Uli, who designs beautiful party dresses for herself and her clients in Miami, can't win either. Unless she designs something else for the next challenge and the final runway show at Bryant Park. But by doing so, would she be abandoning the point of view that makes her designs so noteworthy?

Just a thought. Whether she wins or not, I wish I could afford and buy one of her dresses. Or ten of them.

Joesphine Baker's eigth grade dance

2006-09-15T13:24:00.000-07:00

For a recap, go to www.televisionwithoutpity.com.

For reviews, read on.

Ranked, from worst-to-best, for your reading and judging convenience.

Jeffrey: Was this the challenge where they're supposed to design something for Wet Seal? As Michael Kors would say (did say?), the taste level just wasn't there.

Vincent: A joke. But he's crazy and needs to get back on his meds.

Angela: Quite possibly my favorite outfit of hers, except maybe the Audrey Hepburn dress. But, since it's Angela, that's not saying much.

Uli: OK, I liked the dress, but it was an Uli dress. Zac Posen loved it, as guest judges always do, because it's the first time they've seen the genius of Uli. But the other judges were naturally nonplussed, as was I.

Kayne: Beautiful front, weird back. Perhaps not exactly following the parameters of the challenge, but it was definitely better than Jeffrey's. I thought it showed his range and it also showed that he's listened to the judges and Tim Gunn. Without the weird lacing on the back, it's something I would definitely wear.

Laura: I liked Michael's much better, but I'm glad Laura got to win. Her design showed range without abandoning her distinctive point of view. However, I got a distinct mid-90s vibe from her dress. it reminded me of something Rachel Green or Cher Horowitz would have worn.

Michael: I love this man. He has wonderful designs and seems to think about his designs without overintellectualizing them. He's classy and polite but not a stick in the mud. I loved this dress. It was simple, but beautiful. He understood the challenge, designed something that looked amazing on Nazri and styled it beautifully.

My predictions for the final three? Michael's the only shoe-in. I think Uli could pull an Austin Scarlett and put another Uli dress on the runway, which would almost guarantee her elimination. Jeffrey is in a similar situation, only he lacks Uli's taste level. Laura could design something boring or she could just not do as well as the other three and go home. But I think this competition is Michael Knight's to lose.

Although, because Fashion Week is going on right now, Laura, Jeffrey, Uli and Michael will all show at Bryant Park, so Project Runway addicts like myself won't be able to tell the final three by those who show. It's happened the last two seasons, too.

I'm no angel

2006-09-14T06:49:00.000-07:00

I am really not a fan of that new song "Lips of an Angel" by Hinder. Not only is it crappy Nickelback-rip-off rock, but dude's a dick. If this other chick is soooooo wonderful, why do you have a girlfriend? Break up with your girlfriend or stop strining along this angel whose lips you're so obsessed with.

It's almost as bad as that "You're Beautiful" James Blunt song that should be the offical theme song of every stalker. Oddly, that one references angels, as well.

Stay tuned for a Project Runway review tonight.

fall to-do

2006-09-12T18:31:00.000-07:00

1. discover the perfect red lipstick
2. get the guts to buy a pair of skinny jeans
3. get the guts to actually wear them

Welcome to the Ministry

2006-09-12T18:08:00.000-07:00

In the British Parliamentary system, divisions of government are known as ministries. I don't know why. But the fashion police force doesn't seem to be working and it looks like we're in desperate need of a federal task force to change the course of this nation.

Let the revolution begin.